Whoa, whoa, wait a minute!

We are barely one week into little man being an entire year old (more on that later), and I just found my first GRAY hair!! Eeeek!  I do not remember reading this in the motherhood description!  I have navigated my way through many sleepless nights, boo-boos, drool on everything and more dirty diapers than I care to count...but this?  This single hair is almost too much for this mama to handle!  I guess it's time for a few highlights, and maybe a poor me pity party, complete with a glass (bottle?) of wine :)

Summa Summa Summa Tiiiime

Maybe I've been spoiled at a young age with annual summer vacations from California to Florida, and everywhere in between, but it's just not a true summer without at least one little getaway.  Perhaps it's my free-spirit, the wandering soul within, yearning for travel and wide open spaces, but I just can't be content with a summer that doesn't include loading everything but the kitchen sink in the car & hitting the open road.  A few last minute, on a whim plans (the BEST kind of plans!) and we have a little fun in the sun planned!

A few weeks ago we trekked out to the glorious Colorado mountains for a taste of big sky, fly fishing ( I "moved" a trout--somewhat of a success in the fishing world, or so I'm told), hiking, rafting (the real deal folks, forget about the professional river guides when you have Papa Hop in the captains seat!)  and a little family bonding.  B headed out a few days early for some extra fishing time--so O-dawg & I hit the skies for his first  trip by plane.  Note to self---11 months is not exactly an "ideal" age to earn your wings, but after a 4 hour delay, numerous Starbucks coffees, and a quick 15 minute jump from Denver to Colorado Springs, we survived.   Here are a few action shots from the trip :)



B working the fly rod on Grape Creek



 

Ark River rafting with our rafting buddies to the left



Owen's first hike---love those long legs a-danglin'!!

The killer view of Canon City area as you are heading on the road from hell up to the house.  I cringe every time! 



Just a week later, we hit the road running and set our sail for the hills of Missouri.  No one loves the Ozarks more than my mother, so Table Rock lake was the setting for our first vacation in several years with everyone there!  We won't mention my failed attempt at wake boarding (hey, bonus points for trying!!), or the serious whiplash I got after dominating (or was it being owned?) by a massive wake on the tube (Thanks, Zach! grr!), but I did show that outlet mall how to shop, so we'll count the trip as a success :)  Owen had a blast, hamming it up, enjoying the spotlight, as always, and the hubs and I celebrated SIX years of marriage.  Good stuff!



Trying to be cool 



My little lake baby







Lake Living...good stuff



Now it's back to reality, and the crazy busy schedule of fall/school starting/routine/responsibility that will try to rule our lives for the next few months.  Glad we were able to stock up on some R&R, sunshine & good company to get us through!